Thursday, October 14, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

CLARK COUNTY FAMILY COURT DEPARTMENT F

Bob Gaston* Nonpartisan Age: 65 Occupation: Family Court judge Stefany Miley Nonpartisan Age: 33 Occupation: Attorney

It's official. The race for Family Court judge in Department F has heated up.

Incumbent Bob Gaston said challenger Stefany Miley doesn't have the experience in Family Court to serve as a judge, and he accused her of running a negative campaign.

"The attorneys in family law ... they are shocked she would even challenge me," Gaston said. "They don't even know who she is."

Miley said she is an experienced attorney and the public is craving for consistent, fair rulings from the judge. She said Gaston has a reputation for favoritism based on gender, and that has led to consistent rulings against men during his two terms on the bench.

"I think the largest issue, and what everyone wants, is fairness, basic fairness," Miley said. "There should be no preconceived bias based upon gender."

Miley also pointed to her endorsement by the Las Vegas Police Protective Association as evidence that a change is needed in Department F. The endorsement followed a controversy with the union over whether Gaston was incorrectly claiming the union's endorsement.

Union Executive Director Dave Kallas said the union complained after an officer noticed Gaston's campaign literature claimed the PPA endorsement last month. Gaston promised to change the literature, but more was distributed days later, Kallas said.

Gaston said he was endorsed by the PPA Civil Employees union and that the controversy over the literature was an editorial oversight. He believes the original complaint on the matter was made by an officer who didn't like a ruling Gaston made in a Family Court case.

Responding to the gender bias allegation, Gaston said he always has been fair to both sides in court. He questioned how Miley would even have a feel for his rulings in Family Court.

"She hasn't been practicing in Family Court long enough to make that determination," Gaston said. "When she filed (for office), she only had seven cases in Family Court. You wouldn't rely on her for information."

Responding lawyers in this year's Judicial Performance Evaluation gave Gaston a 72 percent retention rating.

Miley has a law degree from California Western School of Law. Gaston's law degree is from California Western.

"I've been a judge for 12 years," Gaston said. "I practiced family law for 11 years before I became a judge. I was in the Legislature, where I concentrated on passing bills for family and children."

Miley said she has a wide breadth of experience in all areas of the law, from family law to federal court and personal injury.

"I believe I represent fairness, value and integrity for everyone," she said.